BBC NI Tour of Broadcasting House

Looking For An Interesting Day Out In Belfast? Well, look no further - A tour of BBC NI's Broadcasting House is great fun and it's Free!

BBC Northern Ireland is part of the state broadcaster for the United Kingdom. BBC NI offers a range of both programmes and services across its radio, television and online platforms. It's main base is currently Broadcasting House, Ormeau Avenue in Belfast, although there is some talk of the organisation moving its base to a new location. Some rumours suggest that this could be the old Belfast Telegraph building located in Belfast's Royal Avenue.

At the time of writing this article booking your place could not be easier, simply book your BBC NI tour online This facility allows a party of up to 16 to select their preferred date from those available. However is your party is of 16 or more or anyone within your party has special needs then the BBC web link provided above for booking, also provides a telephone number, where you can discuss your party's needs and confirm your booking.

You will see from our photo gallery that you will get up close to the technology, cameras, lighting and studios where BBC NI do both their television and radio broadcasting. You may visit the control suite where the countdown to local broadcasting takes place, where decisions are make on which camera to use, their angles and where split timing decisions are taken on camera cut overs. You may visit the main BBC NI broadcasting suite where the evening news goes out live but you won't get to visit during or on the approach to any live broadcast. If you do get to visit this suite you will almost certainly get your chance to sit in the news reader's chair and watch yourself on local monitors as you have fun reading the news from the teleprompter. Another location within Broadcasting House that you might get to visit is the continuity suite where voice overs for both television and radio are broadcast and its from this suite that BBC NI say goodbye to the province every night as they pass the broadcasting onto Radio 5 Live. No tour is complete without bumping into some local talent and if your lucky your tour will take you to meet local legend Hugo Ducan and his team within his studio but who knows who you'll meet?

Whether you are just looking for a cheap day out in Belfast or whether you or someone you know is truly interested in broadcasting or in a new career the tour will enlighten you to true life beyond the cameras and show the nature of the work that BBC NI carries our from programme-making, production, journalism to technicians and engineers you will get a flavour of BBC NI output.

In brief BBC One NI, BBC Two NI, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle and online media. Regionally it is best known for its news and current affairs output . Arguably BBC NI's most continuous show both on radio and television is the Stephen Nolan who is a bit like marmite, love or hate?

Well, we'll leave you to find your way to Belfast, if you drive there is both on street parking close by (but there is a maximum limit of 2 hours on street parking and in some areas its just one hour. The address you'll need for your sat nav is: BBC Northern Ireland, Broadcasting House, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast BT2 8HQ

If you are arriving by public transport, Metro bus services take you right to Belfast City Hall. If you are arriving by Ulster Bus or NI Railways simply ask for directions either directly to Broadcasting House or Belfast City Hall.

BBC Broadcasting House is located at the corner of Ormeau Avenue and Bedford Street and Bedford Street is one of 3 streets directly behind Belfast city hall. In fact is you are standing in front of City Hall looking directly at it, Bedford Street joins the street the runs down the right hand side of City Hall. If your healthy the walk should only talk you a few minutes. Your brief walk should pass another Belfast landmark called the Ulster Hall and your should check our Belfast Guide for more details on this local landmark

The tour of BBC NI lasts approximately 1 Hour 15 Minutes. Don't forget to take your camera - every snap's a memory!

Ps. Don't forget to share them with us and our readers.